Atlanta Beltline, Inc. Passes $242 Million Budget as Project Accelerates Affordable Housing, Trail Completion and Transit Ahead of 2026 World Cup™

Atlanta Beltline, Inc. is moving forward with a budget of nearly $242 million for fiscal year 2026 (FY26), marking a pivotal year for the transformative 22-mile loop as the Beltline prepares for FIFA World Cup 26^TM and pushes forward toward mainline trail completion and housing goals by 2030. It also marks the continued success of the Beltline Tax Allocation District, a primary source of funding for the trail, affordable housing, commercial space, economic development and arts programs. The budget was approved by the Atlanta Beltline, Inc. and Invest Atlanta’s board of directors.  

The FY26 budget draws from a diverse mix of funding sources, including the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD), the Special Service District (SSD), philanthropic support, and local, state and federal grants. The Beltline TAD remains the primary funding mechanism, accounting for approximately $183.5 million—roughly 75% of the total budget.

“The Atlanta Beltline is entering an exciting moment where we are five years away from completing the 22-mile rail-to-trail loop. This year’s budget is both a reflection of our momentum and a roadmap to deliver lasting impact for communities along the Beltline corridor,” said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “We would not have reached this point if not for the longstanding support of our partners - Atlanta Public Schools, the City of Atlanta and Fulton County - to fund our priorities and initiatives locally.”

The Beltline team notes its record of excellence in managing budgets and timelines. “Since 2019, trail completion has accelerated from 30% completed to an expected 85% complete in 2026,” Higgs said. “We have high standards for our trails, and we’re thrilled that with our partners, we deliver with excellence, financial responsibility and a sense of urgency.”

Top Five Budget Investments in FY 2026

The following are the top budget investments in the FY 2026 Beltline budget.

Mainline Trail Delivery, Design & Construction – $98.8 million

The Beltline continues its momentum to deliver nearly 18 miles of continuous paved trail ahead of World Cup 26^TM. Design and construction remain the top funding category, underscoring the Beltline’s push to meet the 2030 deadline to finish all 22 miles of mainline trail plus 11 miles of connector trails.

Affordable Housing & Commercial Space – $40.6 million
Affordable housing and commercial space remain a Beltline priority. Funding includes approximately $17 million for buying property, predevelopment costs, due diligence and down payment assistance programs with Invest Atlanta. The Beltline has made great progress on housing attainability, reaching 74% of its goal of creating or preserving 5,600 affordable housing units by 2030.

Real Estate – $56.3 million
Real estate investments focus on acquiring key trail-adjacent properties, including major parcels along the Northwest Trail – essential to achieving trail connectivity as well as supporting housing and commercial affordability.

Economic Development – $11.3 million
Funding will expand support for small businesses and the Beltline Marketplace program, along with the digital inclusion initiative to provide free public Wi-Fi and technology access in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup^TM. Originally proposed under a $9 million federal grant, this effort will now be funded through TAD allocations.

Transit – $8.8 million
A new departmental category in FY26 is transit, reflecting the growing momentum and strategic focus on mobility solutions along the Beltline corridor. While this remains an evolving area of planning and discussion, the Beltline has allocated $8 million to support early-stage investments. Highlights include consultant services to advance a new transit service plan, preliminary engineering and a 12-month pilot project for an autonomous shuttle (Beep) connecting Atlanta University Center, MARTA West End Station and the Southwest Trail at Lee + White. The pilot is supported by a $1.75 million grant from the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority. The Beltline also will be evaluating potential alignments connecting the Southside Beltline to Downtown Atlanta. The goal is to advance design work to the 15–20% stage, consistent with current direction to prioritize transit implementation along the Southside portion of the Beltline.

Additional Highlight: Arts and more

One additional highlight of the FY26 budget is the $3.2 million for planning, engagement and arts. These funds will support Subarea Master Plan development, community outreach and Beltline arts programming – including the Atlanta Beltline Arts exhibition and the beloved Lantern Parade.

Looking Ahead

With the World Cup^TM drawing global attention to Atlanta, the Beltline’s FY26 budget marks a pivotal step in delivering a world-class, inclusive urban redevelopment project. As construction accelerates and community investments deepen, the Beltline remains committed to creating a connected, equitable city for generations to come. The Beltline will continue collaborating with public, private and nonprofit partners to fulfill its mission of connecting people and places across the city.

“We’re proud to say that the trail is on track to be completed by 2030, and we’re continuing to make major progress on all of our strategic objectives,” Higgs said. “From trail construction and transit planning to affordable housing, workforce development, and arts, we’re laser-focused on delivering on our inclusive vision for the future of Atlanta with excellence.”

Beltline by the Numbers – FY26

●       Total Budget: $242 million

●       TAD Contribution: $183.5 million (75.8%)

●       Affordable Housing Goal: At 74% of goal to create or preserve 5,600 units by 2030

●       Trail Completion Target: Nearly 18 miles of continuous mainline trail by early 2026

●       Transit Pilot Launch: Early 2026 with the Beep project

Media images are available here.